Much Teeth Gnashing – Give up the Grind

Dr. Michael's16 April 2012 11435

Two to three out of every 10 kids will grind or clench, experts say.

Have you ever felt soreness in your jaw, as though you were chewing gum (or your pencil) all night long? There are a lot of people who wake up in the morning welcomed with a dull headache and jaw pain.

You might be grinding your teeth while you’re trailing along dreamland and you might not even know it.

Huge clinical studies dedicated on bruxism - grinding of teeth or the clenching of jaws – show out that over 90% of the population experience it at some point. In fact, experts say that two to three out of every 10 kids will grind or clench, but most outgrow it.

For some, grinding is a way to respond to pain (like earaches). Majority of children grind their teeth due to teething. This is their own way of relieving pain, pretty much like rubbing sore muscles.

Our bodies respond well to our emotions even when we’re sleeping. This makes it even harder to diagnose because you may not even realize you’re doing it.

What are the symptoms of teeth grinding?

The most common causes of sleep bruxism (grinding at night) are stress, anger and depression. Certain medications, like antidepressants, are also known to trigger this condition. Also, people who have misaligned upper and lower teeth, have a greater tendency to clench their jaws and grind their teeth than those with correctly positioned teeth.

Bruxism may not only lead to noticeable facial pain. In most cases, nighttime grinding and clenching wears down the tooth enamel and damages dental works, fractures teeth and increases the teeth’s sensitivity to temperature. Researchers also suggest that bruxism possibly triggers TMJ (Temporomandibular joint disease).

If you feel vague headaches and pain in the jaw, visit your dentist and he’ll try and work out the most fitting solution for you. Common treatments include hard plastic bite splints for the upper teeth or taking anti-anxiety medications. A change in lifestyle to reduce stress may also add significant relief for those experiencing bruxism.

Save your teeth and spare yourself a headache.

If you think you have the ‘grind’, talk to us about it. We’ll be happy to help you.